Coraline (AUDIO), By: Neil Gaiman

By: Neil Gaiman

Read By: Neil Gaiman
Publisher: Harper Audio
Publish Date: 2002
ISBN: 9780061660160
Length: 3 hours, 3 Compact Discs 
Classification: Fiction

Genre: Fantasy, Horror
Age Level: Children, Teens
Series Title: n/a
Subjects: family, fantasy, kidnapping, parent napping, alternative realities 

Reader's Annotation: Coraline is bored. While her busy, boring parents work she discovers a secret door to another world where everything is better. Or is it?

Synopsis: After moving into a new home, Coraline and her mother and father are forced to do what they do best: Parents work, dad cooks not so yummy food, and Coraline tries desperately to keep herself busy. But while exploring her new home she finds a door that would have connected their side of the house to the next door home in their four-plex building. One day, Coraline opens the door while her parents are gone only to find a new, tastier, prettier world. It's the same, only better! It is complete with her "other" better parents. As Coraline soon finds out, her "other" parents are something "other" all together! Now Coraline has save herself and the world she thought she hated! PS. It's CORALINE, not Caroline!

Notes: The audio book is embellished with the stunning voice work of the author himself which makes the listening experience something all together special. Furthermore, orginal music by The Gothic Archies best known for their music for "A Series of Unfortunate Events" audiobooks.

I couldn't recommend an audiobook more! It's fantastic. 

The film was released in 2009 in both regular format & 3-D by Focus Features.

Stars: 5

Extras: Film Website http://coraline.com/

Author Website http://journal.neilgaiman.com/

Death #1: Death at Death's Door, By Jill Thompson

By: Jill Thompson
Consultant: Neil Gaiman
Publisher: Vertigo/DC
Publish Date: 203
ISBN: 1563899388
Page #: 208
Classification: Manga
Genre: Graphic Novel, American Manga
Age Level: Older Teens
Series Title: Death
Subjects: Death, Dreaming, Humanity

Reader's Annotation:

Synopsis: Meet Death, The little sister of the King of Dreams, Sandman. Created from Neil Gaiman's beloved Sandman series, Death at Death's door tells the story of some visiters from hell (literally) who happen to stop by Death's apartment as she was the last person they remembered being nice to them. Having left hell (and an empty hell and a locked door for the Sandman find), the hell-acious servants turn up at Death's Door, and Delirium and Despair (also siblings of the Sandman and Death called the Endless) make a delirious and despairing decision to through a party for them. Not going well, Death is left with the mess to clean up, to save the afterlife, and do what she does best: end things. And in this case, save the waking hours, or in other words: save the day.

Told from Death's point of view, fans of the Sandman are in for a treat, especially if they can't get enough Sandman and are bigs fans of his sister Death. Delirium has her moments were she evokes the Delirium of Sandman but Despair really isn't dark enough. Death at Death's Door was a fun diversion, but for the hardcore fan, it will be a matter of taste. The art takes on the manga genre, totally black, grey, and white, and with The Endless in full manga eye regalia, fans will either throw it against the wall or appreciate it for what it is. It is not comparable to the art of either Death: The High Cost of Living, or The Sandman Series. Rather, it is a journey into somewhere else.

Notes: The story from Death #1 is taken primarily from Gaiman's  Seasons of Mists (Sandman, Volume #4) and translated to the YA audience.

Stars: 4

Extras: Jill Thompson Online http://www.jillthompsonart.com/

Images of Death & Sandman from Gaiman's Original Adult Graphic Novel

http://www.vamp.org/Gothic/Images/death-image.html

Neil Gaiman: http://www.neilgaiman.com/works/Comics/

Stardust, By Neil Gaiman

By: Neil Gaiman

Publisher: Harper Perennial

Publish Date: June 19, 2001

ISBN: 0060934719

Page #: 272 

Classification: Fiction
Genre: Fantasy
Age Level: Older Teen
Series Title: n/a
Subjects: Romance, Good Vs. Evil, Fairyland, Magic, Comedy, Pirates, Fallen Stars

Reader's Annotation: In the town of Wall, nobody goes beyond the wall. But when Tristan sneaks through he finds out his heritage is something out of Fairyland. In this romantic adventure you'll meet Falling Stars, Flying Pirates, King & Princes, & the most evil queen in Fairyland!

Synopsis: Written in a style reminiscent of the greatest Fairytales ever told, Stardust tells the story of Tristan Thorn. In Tristan's town of Wall, there is a Wall that separates the town from the forbidden "other" side. Tristan's mother comes from the other side of that wall, although Tristan is unaware of his heritage. After falling in love with the prettiest girl in Wall, Tristan sets out to bring her a fallen star in exchange for her hand. Sneaking beyond the wall, Tristan's whole world is changed as he sets out on the most romantic, magical, journey of his life. Although by the time he finds his fallen star, his heart may betray him for another.

Not your average Fairytale, the master storyteller Neil Gaiman writes what is one of my favorite books of all time. A comedy, a love story, and an Adventure, both boys and girls can get on board. 

Notes: 

Stardust was made into a film in 2007 starring Claire Danes, Charlie Cox, Sienna Miller, Ricky Gervais, Jason Flemyng, Peter O’Toole, Michelle Pfeiffer and Robert De Niro! Though everyone always says don't see it before reading the book, I am going to say it with even more fervor here.

Stars: 5

Extras: Neil Gaiman's Teen Page for Stardust  http://www.neilgaiman.com/works/Books/Stardust/ed/118/

IMDB  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0486655/

MOVIE OFFICIAL http://www.stardustmovie.com/index2.html